Rose wine always a favorite of mine for years and will drink it year around. I wish to dispel the myth that anything pink and in a bottle tastes like the dreaded sweet “blush” wines so popular years ago (aka white zinfandel) No my first love in the world of wine is dry rose. Dry, intense, fruit forward roses, that make excellent summer sippers, whether drinking with or without food.

Here are just a few of my recommendations:

2013 Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose

A joint venture between Famille Perrin and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Jolie and Pitt settled into their 1200 acre estate in 2008, purchased for a mere 54.9 million dolars.The estate includes 50 to 60 acres of vines which the Jolie-Pitts have collaborated with The Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel to produce this exceptional rose.

Chateau Miraval

The wine is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino) and Syrah.

Miraval Rose is light and refreshing, with hints of strawberry and mineral notes, excellent for pairing with light dishes such as fish, and salads. Retails for $24-$27

This wine from southeastern Frances Rhone Valley, has a wonderful long finish and full flavor with hints of strawberry and black currant. Perfect choice to enjoy in the summer months with salads, and barbecue.

Retails for around $14

2013 Charles and Charles Rose

This wine hails from grapes sourced from Washington State’s Columbia Valley, a blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise, and Mourvedre. It is a collaboration between two winemakers-Food and Wine’s 2009 Winemaker of the year, Charles Smith (K Vintners and Charles Smith Wines), and Charles Bieler (Three Thieves, Bieler, Pere et Fils, Sombra Mezcal) Their promo and tagline for Charles and Charles is “Yes, You can drink Rose and still be a bad ass”: Which states the obvious!

This wine is bright, refreshing and fruit forward with strawberry and hints of watermelon, and balancing minerality. Retails for about $14.

2013 A to Z Wineworks Rose

Of all the roses featured, the A to Z Rose has to be the one wine with the biggest boldest flavor and a much fuller body. Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes that are grown in Southern Oregons’ Del Rio Vineyard, with diurnal temperature shifts of 60 degrees, which are known to make for some big bold red wines, this rose brings it with the biggest, boldest flavor. Intense red berry and long finish, while maintaining brightness and hints of acidity for balance.Will stand up to your spiciest BBQ!

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For Valentines Day, the perfect wine is Rosa Regale, an Italian red wine sparkling red. Retails for just under $20 and is the perfect choice for that special someone on Valentines Day.
Semi-Dry, goes well with chocolate!
Another recommendation is The Chocolate Shop Wine. Both are available at Marsh on downtown Indy.

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Dig IN is the chance for over 35 of Indiana’s best chefs, over 20 wineries and breweries, and countless artisans to showcase their craft to thousands in the heart of downtown Indianapolis on the grounds of the beautiful White River State Park.

This was my second time attending Dig In, and it was every bit as good, if not better than the first. I was lucky enough to get an early admission pass, and was able to sample many of the day’s offerings with little to no wait. I actually could not get through my entire Passport, and regret that I was not able to get to every single vendor. I actually found something I liked about all the foods I tasted. So many excellent choices it is really hard to pick a favorite.

I must first discuss Scratch Truck’s Bourbon Braised Brisket, topped with a Peach and Bourbon Glaze, and served with housemade Caraway pickles. To break it down a bit more: they used Spring Mill’s Bourbon, Triton’s Dead-Eye Stout, and Fischer Farms Brisket. This was one of my absolute favorites of the day. Also-I must add that the portions they were doling out were HUGE. If you were lucky enough to have hit them up before about 3pm because I actually was back in that section later and noticed they ran out.

My first time at Scratch truck and will definitely not be my last. Will be looking for them again for sure!

Scratch Truck Bourbon Braised Brisket:

Spring Mill Bourbon that was used in The Brisket.

I also really loved One World Catering’s-(Bloomington) Moroccan Lamb Meatballs With Muhammara Sauce. So great I used one of my “Bonus Tastes” for this one:

The Chefs Academy’s Lamb Reuben was Amazing!!

Mini Wagyu Burger

By the time I got around to Joseph Decius the line encountered was pretty long, due to word of mouth and a write up in the Indystar for the ones to hit. His Mini Wagyu Burgers with spicy tomato jam and bleu cheese mousse were 100% worth the wait.

Northside Social’s Pancetta & Chicken Salad Bib Wrap and went really well with New Day Meadery’s South Cider

Spice Box had a really good Chicken Kofta Ball. Great curry favor and it is nice to know they know the correct balance of spiciness without being overly salted. I love curry and this did not disappoint!

Duos had a really great soup actually Chanterelle Vegetable Bisque, which I would have enjoyed even more had it not been a 90 degree day with 70% humidity.

Beer Break

Dig-IN Attendees

Dig in Attendees

Napolese had a really great Focaccia Caprese Sandwich-and the portions were also rather large-almost a meal in itself, and made me contemplate wrapping it up and hoarding it away for later:

Napolese Focaccia Caprese Sandwich

As a far as beverages, I was a regular at The New Day Meadery Tent, which had their South Cider on tap. Super refreshing on such a hot day! Local Breweries were on hand offering their ales, as well as many wineries, including Oliver.

Also Bee’s Coffee Roasters had my favorite drink of the non-alcoholic variety-The Plum Buzz Coffee Soda wins on creativity and imaginative use of Anderson Orchard Plums and Upland Brewery’s Bay Leaf and Malt Vinegar extracts. They are located on Capitol Ave, just off Georgia St. Go there now. Hopefully this is a regular item on the menu.

The fine folks behind Circle City Soups and Sweets!!

I met so many great people from out of town as well as locals, and ran into many familiar faces from around town. On the way out we ran into some volunteers and we took a moment to thank them for their hard work and smiling faces. It really was such a great day and I lament that it is over, and am already looking forward to next year!

So much reason to celebrate at this year’s Uncork The Uplands! Early in 2013, The Indiana Uplands had at long last succeeded in obtaining it’s hard-fought (thank you Jim Butler), official designation as an American Viticultural Area, the first and only one primarily in Indiana.

Huber Winery

PeaceTree Mountain Truffles-Makes custom truffles with cookies, coffee, jam, and lucky me, wine! These are made with Huber Winery Vino!! I had the Starlight Red. Heavenly!

Bloomington native Colin Boilini, The Rail’s proprietor and head bartender was also on hand working his magic with several inventive “wine-cocktails” using wines exclusively from the Indiana Uplands and working his typical craft cocktail magic.

Amidst all this imbibing we also managed to attend a lecture by Jim Butler on the Indiana Upland’s official designation as an AVA and the painstaking time, effort and endless paperwork involved in petitioning for this designation from the government. (One of the workers retired at the end of the process, we are talking YEARS here)

The man responsible for Indiana’s AVA-Jim Butler

Indiana’s Uplands AVA- from Monroe County/Morgan County south to the Ohio River, is approximately 110 miles, The unique topography of the Uplands and a higher elevation, yield grapes that ripen under conditions with good acid, color, tannins, and distinctive fruit flavors. It may not be the largest of wine trails, but it is one that is nearest and dearest to my heart, as it includes one of my favorite places Oliver Winery, which I fell in love with it as an IU alum and always have to make a stop when heading back to B-town. As well as new favorites that include Huber Winery in southern Indiana’s Starlight. Uncork The Uplands is such a great and safe way (accomodations at The Courtyard Marriott or Hilton Garden Inn) to be able to try Indiana Upland’s amazing wines in one place.

After the wine tasting I just couldn’t pass up an offering of one last glass of wine. We headed to Oliver Winery Downtown, on the square. I have been to Oliver Winery’s main location on 37 a thousand times, maybe more, but since we were staying so close we thought this was the perfect chance to check out the downtown location.

Shiraz Reserve

Viogner

We were back at the hotel at a somewhat reasonable time. I got up in the morning and took a rather long run on the B-Line Trail, which if you don’t know, runs alongside downtown Bloomington, just behind the Courtyard Marriott and Hilton, and eventually connects to Clear Creek Trail. It was a rather chilly morning, especially for July, and I had a great run. Once I got into the woods I saw a deer and some horses on a farm, which is kinda cool for a city girl like me. Not sure if it was the beauty of being on a gorgeous wooded trail (in nature for once), all the carbs from the night before, or just the fact that I didn’t have my Garmin on while running on an unfamiliar trail, but I inadvertently wound-up running four miles before turning around, 8 miles in total, pretty much by accident, but oddly, it felt effortless. I suppose I am ready for my next Mini-Marathon.

In addition to Indy, (and if you don’t already know, my obsession with New Orleans, which I don’t talk about too much here because this blog is all about Indy and surrounding areas), Bloomington is another one of my beloved cities. I lived in this city for years while in college and will never tire of returning and love that every time I go back there seems to be another great new place to check out.

Bloomington, much like downtown Indy, has grown so much in the past few years and I can’t wait to visit again!!